Clinton Administration Announces Change in Policy on Cuban Refugees

Strategic Insights -

The Clinton Administration has announced a new policy that will detain Cuban refugees indefinitely upon arrival in the United States. The policy, effective immediately, is a departure from the long-standing open-door policy towards Cubans, who have been granted entry into the country after a brief interview by immigration authorities. The decision comes amidst a surge in the number of Cubans fleeing their homeland, with hundreds continuing to arrive each day in rafts and rubber dinghies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton Administration has introduced a new policy that will detain Cuban refugees indefinitely upon arrival in the United States.
  • The policy is a departure from the previous open-door policy, which allowed Cubans to enter the country after a brief interview by immigration authorities.
  • Attorney General Janet Reno announced the new policy at a late-night news conference, citing the need to discourage Cubans from risking their lives by fleeing in flimsy vessels.
  • Governor Lawton Chiles of Florida has welcomed the new policy, stating that it would prevent Fidel Castro from dictating immigration policy in the United States.
  • The Administration has adopted the new policy after consulting with Cuban-American groups and considering several options, including turning back Cuban refugees or transferring them to third countries.
  • State Department officials believe that wretched economic conditions in Cuba are the underlying factor behind the exodus, with Fidel Castro permitting the recent wave of refugees in the hope of pressuring the Administration to ease its trade embargo.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,000 Cubans have reached Florida this month.
  • 75% of the Cuban refugees who have arrived this year have been settled with relatives in Florida.
  • 15% have been settled with relatives in other states, primarily New York and New Jersey.
  • 10% have been placed outside of Florida.
  • The Coast Guard has deployed a dozen cutters and 31 small boats to patrol the Florida Straits.
  • 90% of the Mariel exodus (1979-1980) were carried by boats belonging to Cuban-Americans from Florida.

Sources:

  • "Clinton Administration Announces Detention Policy for Cuban Refugees"
  • New York Times
  • "Coast Guard Deploys Vessels to Patrol Florida Straits"
  • CNN
  • "State Department Officials Believe Wretched Economic Conditions in Cuba are Underlying Factor Behind Exodus"
  • Anonymous State Department Official